Thakurgaon:Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin announced that the Election Commission has made all necessary arrangements to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful by-election in the Thakurgaon-1 constituency.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the CEC expressed confidence in the process, assuring that the by-election would be as commendable as the 13th parliamentary election. He emphasized the commitment to take all required measures to achieve this.
The CEC shared these remarks during a press interaction after inspecting the election monitoring cell at the Election Commission building. He noted that the current situation in the election field is favorable and that the Commission will monitor the situation in real-time to respond promptly as needed.
Additionally, a meeting was conducted with law enforcement representatives to discuss security measures for the election. CEC A M M Nasir Uddin chaired the meeting, with other election commissioners in attendance. He assured that sufficient law enforcement personnel would be deployed to maintain control during the election.
Voting is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, from 8 am to 4 pm, using transparent ballot boxes. The Thakurgaon District Election Officer is overseeing the election as the Returning Officer.
The schedule for the election process includes the scrutiny of nomination papers on September 29, with a window for appeals from September 30 to October 4. Appeals will be resolved by October 6, and the deadline for withdrawal of candidature is October 7. Candidates will receive their electoral symbols on October 8.
Postal voting registration for government officials, employees, and those on election duty is open from September 27 to October 8 via the 'Postal Vote BD' mobile app. Registration for expatriate voters concluded from September 12 to 20.
The need for the by-election arose after the Thakurgaon-1 seat was vacated when the previous lawmaker assumed the presidency.